Symphony returns in digital format

SPOKANE — The Spokane Symphony will present a virtual New Year’s Eve concert with the Spokane Symphony and Friends at 4 p.m., Dec. 31.

Because of the pandemic, this is the first time Spokane Symphony musicians have performed together for a public event since February 2020.

The remainder of the 2019-20 Spokane Symphony season was canceled last March due to the coronavirus, followed by the cancellation of the 2020-21 season last July.

This concert is free for healthcare workers and people who have been financially impacted by the pandemic.

“We’re offering this virtual concert because we didn’t want to end the Spokane Symphony’s long tradition of performing music on New Year’s Eve. Our Beethoven’s Ninth concert on Dec. 31st is something that’s become a beloved must-do on New Year’s Eve for thousands of people in the Inland Northwest,“ Music Director James Lowe said. “During the pandemic, we can’t put the full orchestra on the stage of Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, nor can we have a live audience, yet.

“So, we have planned a wonderful virtual variety of classical music, performed by the string section, live-on-tape from the Fox Theater, and led by Concertmaster Mateusz Wolski.”

The concert includes a pre-recorded version of Cab Calloway’s “Minnie the Moocher” by the Spokane Symphony brass section.

Symphony “friends” featured in the concert include singer-songwriter Cami Bradley and best-selling author Jess Walter.

Ticket-holders may watch the concert at their convenience on Vimeo, at 4 p.m. Dec. 31, 2020, through June 30, 2021.